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What Brand Impact Sockets Do You Use?

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otis66

Well-known member
Joined
May 28, 2010
Messages
1,875
I've had my SnapOn deep and shallow SAE 1/2" drive for over20 years. Snap On Deep SAE 3/8" drive for about 17 years Proto SAE 3/8" drive shallow for 17 years and my Craftsman USA mteric Shallow for about 12 years. I also have a few SK 3/4" drive impact sockets up to 2". I have never broken or had to warranty any impact socket. I've also have a 1/2" drive Snap On and Proto impact universal. The Snap On universl has never been repaced in over 20 years but I had to warranty the Proto Univesa;l two times. The Proto universal is smoother at greater angles.
 

greasemonkey44

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 30, 2011
Messages
1,625
Location
memphis
everything from sunex, grey, matco, HF, some gypsy tool stuff
the only one ive killed was the gypsy stuff, the 17mm spread out
mostly i buy grey, they make damn good sockets
 

Kurn

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 15, 2007
Messages
1,066
Location
Ravenna, Oh
Mine are SO,HF,some NAPA sockets and a few unbranded ones from McMaster-Carr.NO issues with any of 'em.
 

bobemmerich

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 23, 2009
Messages
1,611
Location
Middletown, Ct.
my 1/2" drives are U.S. Allen
my 3/8 deeps are Taiwanese Campbell Hausfeld
my 3/8 shallow are old and have a "ww" marking on them. No COO is on it. I'll get a pic up tomorrow to see if someone can identify them.
 

biscuit141

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 19, 2010
Messages
1,074
Location
Indiana
Lowes Kobalt are some nice impact sockets and don't skip sizes, but man they seem over priced. Made in Taiwan probably right next to HF, but sell for $60 a set.
 

Tunger

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 1, 2012
Messages
259
Mostly HF, but a couple kobalt, snap on, napa, and proto. The HF I've had for about 12 years of constant abuse with 1 lost and 1 broken in that time. The others I either snagged at a pawn shop, bought for a specific purpose or to replace my 2 missing HF. I don't use HF swivels though, for those its snap on only for the last 10 years, although I'd like to try some Armstrong pinless.
 
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punkenduro

Well-known member
Joined
May 31, 2011
Messages
99
Location
Murrieta, CA
1/2 shallow and deep metric = snap on
3/8 shallow and deep metric = snap on
1/2 shallow sae = snap on
1/2 deep sae = evol
3/8 shallow sae = snap on
 

MattPersman

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 1, 2009
Messages
1,656
Location
Indiana
my suggestion is buy the cheapest ones you find. I think us pros have beat the **** out of all brands high, low, mighty and questionable, and had no problems. if you have a walmart close, I would go there and buy the stanley sets or whatever they sell there right now for like 20 bucks. it used to be Campbell hausfeld, then it was stanley, now it is ?. if HF is closer and the same price go buy sets from them. just roll the dice and decide. you don't need 100-400 dollar sets of impact sockets at home.
 

biscuit141

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 19, 2010
Messages
1,074
Location
Indiana
1/2 shallow and deep metric = snap on
3/8 shallow and deep metric = snap on
1/2 shallow sae = snap on
1/2 deep sae = evol
3/8 shallow sae = snap on

I assume you are talking about the Evolve set from Sears? How are they holding up?
 

6-Speed

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 6, 2012
Messages
408
I have mostly IR for 1/2", CP and Craftsman for 3/8".

IMG_5505.jpg
 

Tarheelgarage

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 14, 2008
Messages
3,865
Location
NC
craftsman set; about 30 years old, still going strong
sunex: very nice and thin wall; great sockets
Horrible Freight: Cheap; can't beat the price; tough *** bastards.
 

punkenduro

Well-known member
Joined
May 31, 2011
Messages
99
Location
Murrieta, CA
I assume you are talking about the Evolve set from Sears? How are they holding up?

to be honest, they dont get used, the evolv set is there for "just in case
'' ever happening, i use metric most the time. the 2 snap on short sets and 3/8 long set are from uti, the 1/2 deep is off a tool truck cus it covers most all sizes and i wasnt as smart about tools as i am now.
 

drew03cmc

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 9, 2012
Messages
186
Sunex, a few SO, a few Chinese imports and a couple Williams. The Sunex were a gift from my wife, 1/2 deep metric and I love them. I abuse the ones in common sizes, 17, 19, 21 and 22, at work.
 

ElectroLight

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 5, 2011
Messages
494
Location
Rockville, MD
I have standard depth 1/2" drive C-mans from the 80's (Taiwan) and lots of HF impacts in standard and deep also have the 3/4 SAE and Metric sets in standard depth. The HF impacts have put up with abuse and never let me down.
 

wafrederick

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 3, 2010
Messages
6,044
Location
Holton,Mi
Cornwell,Mac,Matco,K Tool and Grey including SK at work.Harbor Freight at home with some Mac,Matco and Snap On at home.
 

Lt CHEG

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 20, 2011
Messages
511
Location
Upstate NY
My sockets are some of the last US made Craftsman's. I only have 1/2 drive shallow and deep. I like the well enough, especially for the price but I don't think they're any better than HF Pittsburgh Pros. My extensions are Pittsburgh Pros and work well enough. I think any additional impacts I buy will be Pittsburgh Pros or Kobalt. I won't pay more than HF prices for the Chinese Craftsman's and I can't justify high prices for impacts considering how little I use them. As long as they've got a lifetime warranty that I can easily use I'm happy.
 

RCL

Well-known member
Joined
May 29, 2011
Messages
344
HF work well for me. Never had a problem. Has to be one of the best buys at HF.
 

Chris.Santamarina

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 24, 2012
Messages
83
Location
New York
I switched over to Rapid-Torc. I have used Snap On for years and have never broken one, but i thought i would try something different. You WILL NOT break one of these sockets. I have tried just because Rapid-Torc says you cant. The prices are way more reasonable then Snap On. They are considerably heavier though, tight spots are hard to get into because the walls are so thick. I beat on mine though and tight spots are not an issue for me.

Chris
 

supersteve

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 2, 2012
Messages
451
Location
Camas, WA
Snap-on, Mac, and Cornwell.
The only one-piece impacts I have ever blown up have been the Cornwell 3/8 drive pieces. Multiple times.

Oddly, their 1/2 drive impact universal metrics have held up like troopers, and I have beaten the snot out of them.
 

bobemmerich

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 23, 2009
Messages
1,611
Location
Middletown, Ct.
Can anyone identify the maker of these???? They're 3/8 drive and I believe in the original case. No markings on the case or other markings on the sockets except those shown.
 

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